eschew
Steer clear of
Eschew means to deliberately avoid or abstain from something, typically because you find it unwise, harmful, or morally objectionable.
It carries a sense of conscious rejection rather than mere absence: She eschews social media entirely.
The word has a formal, almost literary quality that makes it sound more principled than simply saying "avoid"—you don't just skip something, you deliberately shun it.
Deliberately keep away
renounce · steer clear · sidestep · bypass · circumvent · evade · dodge · avert
Reject as having no authority
- disavowDeny any association
- renounceFormally give up
- abjureSolemnly reject or recant
- forsakeAbandon completely
disown · rebuff · dismiss · snub · ostracize · boycott · exclude · cast aside
Done on purpose
- purposefulDone with intention
- consciousMentally present and alert
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
premeditated · considered · principled · conscientious · resolute · steadfast · unwavering · committed
Scornful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- deprecateExpress earnest disapproval
- disfavorLack of approval
- frown uponRegard with disfavor
look down on · disapprove · condemn · deplore · disparage · abhor · detest · loathe
Habitual moderation in behavior
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
self-discipline · forbearance · willpower · sobriety · asceticism · austerity · continence · prudence
shun
Deliberately keep away
forgo · renounce · steer clear · sidestep · bypass · circumvent · evade · dodge · avert · decline
repudiate
Reject as having no authority
forsake · disown · rebuff · dismiss · snub · ostracize · boycott · exclude · cast aside · turn down
intentional
Done on purpose
- purposefulDone with intention
- consciousMentally present and alert
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
willful · premeditated · considered · principled · conscientious · resolute · steadfast · unwavering · committed · determined
disdain
Scornful disregard
frown upon · look down on · disapprove · condemn · deplore · disparage · abhor · detest · loathe · revile
temperance
Habitual moderation in behavior
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
self-denial · self-discipline · forbearance · willpower · sobriety · asceticism · austerity · continence · prudence · discretion